(a) On a sketch map of Africa, mark and name: (i) one area receiving rainfall throughout the year (ii) one area receiving rainfall in summer only (iii) one ...
Question 1 Report
(a) On a sketch map of Africa, mark and name:
(i) one area receiving rainfall throughout the year
(ii) one area receiving rainfall in summer only
(iii) one warm ocean current (indicating the direction of flow)
(iv) one cold ocean current (indicating the direction of flow)
(b) (i) Identify the type of nature vegetation found in each of the areas shown on your map
(ii) How has rainfall accounted for the difference in vegetation in the two areas?
Answer Details
(a) Sketch map of Africa
Key to the sketch map
- A: Congo Basin, an area receiving rainfall throughout the year.
- B: Sudan savanna belt, an area receiving rainfall in summer only.
- Warm current: Mozambique Current, flowing southwards along the south-east coast of Africa.
- Cold current: Benguela Current, flowing northwards along the south-west coast of Africa.
(b)(i) Natural vegetation
| Area | Type of natural vegetation |
|---|---|
| Congo Basin, rainfall throughout the year | Equatorial or tropical rain forest |
| Sudan savanna belt, summer rainfall | Savanna grassland |
(b)(ii) Effect of rainfall on the vegetation
The Congo Basin receives heavy rainfall continuously throughout the year. There is no pronounced dry season, so moisture is available at all times. This supports a dense evergreen forest of tall broad-leaved trees arranged in layers, with a closed canopy.
In the Sudan savanna, rainfall is confined mainly to the summer months and is followed by a long dry season. The prolonged dry period prevents the growth of dense forest. Grasses predominate, while the scattered trees are drought-resistant and usually deciduous, shedding their leaves during the dry season to reduce water loss.
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